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Simon McCulloch, director at comparethemarket.com said: "Our parking fines hotspots have revealed that motorists need to be extra vigilant when it comes to something as simple as parking their vehicle correctly if they want to avoid a hefty fine.

"With Christmas on the horizon, £70 would go further in a gift for a loved one than it would in a parking ticket.

"Penalty Charge Notices can be issued for a number of reasons. It can be quite simply for parking somewhere you shouldn’t, failing to show a valid parking ticket, or displaying an expired ticket.

"Other offences include breaking traffic rules, such as going against a ‘no right turn’ sign or driving in a bus lane.

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"The cost of driving is getting more and more expensive, without having to face any extra, unexpected cost like a parking fine.

"As we embark on the festive period and face unfamiliar roads to visit friends and family, motorists should pay close attention – street signs can often be discreet and easy to miss, but the information should be clearly stated, and parking payment meters never too far away.

"If you do find yourself with a PCN, it’s worth checking your ticket, as you can often reduce the fee by half, simply by paying it within 7 or 14 days, depending on your local council."

The top 10 parking fine areas in East of England

1. Cambridge (12,234) - £281,025

2. East Hertfordshire (6,950) - £191,878

3. Watford (6,428) - £136,818.69

4. Norwich (5,719) - £171,570

5. St Albans (4,963) - £132,570

6. Colchester (4,791) - £91,220

7. Ipswich (4,551) - £107,044

8. Welwyn Hatfield (3,599) - £79,650

9. Dacorum (2,800) - £90,459

10. Basildon (2,365) - £74,746

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesman said: “Parking charges help keep our roads clear and safe for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.

"The money supports our local highways team who carry out essential maintenance on the county’s roads and provide real time passenger information for bus users.

"They also contribute to concessionary bus fares and help us monitor our roads to keep traffic moving and make people aware of any congestion.